Xinjiang Yili Small Loop 7-Day Tour: Winter Magic of Lakes, Forests & Grasslands

• Transportation: Private air-conditioned car
• Meals: Dinner (welcome feast with Uyghur dance show)
• Accommodation: Yining 4-star hotel

Upon arriving at Yining Airport, your professional local guide and experienced driver will greet you at the arrival hall with a sign bearing your name. Transfer to the hotel to rest and recover from jet lag.

In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at the century-old Liuxing Street Scenic Area. Taste authentic Xinjiang cuisine while watching vibrant folk dances. The guide will detail the upcoming itinerary and share local travel tips.

✅ Exclusive Privileges:

Front-row seats for the dance show to enjoy close-up interactions with performers.

Complimentary disposable amenities kit (toiletries, slippers) upon hotel check-in.

• Transportation: Private air-conditioned car
• Meals: Breakfast (hotel buffet)
• Accommodation: Sayram Lake Impression Hotel (near scenic area)

After breakfast, depart Yining for Sayram Lake – a 2.5-hour drive west. Sayram Lake is Xinjiang’s largest and highest-altitude brackish cold-water lake, hailed as “the last tear of the Atlantic”. In winter, its frozen surface shimmers like blue gemstone, with ice bubbles, icicles, and ice pushes creating a magical landscape.
Lunch is at your own expense – the guide will recommend local restaurants near the scenic area. Upon arrival, skip ticket queues with pre-booked online tickets. Drive along the lake shore, stopping anytime to take photos.
✅ Exclusive Privileges:

Complimentary drone aerial photography service to capture unique perspectives of you and the lake.

Heated tent afternoon tea (pastries + coffee) by the lake – relax and enjoy the scenery.

Check into Sayram Lake Impression Hotel in the evening.

• Transportation: Private air-conditioned car
• Meals: Breakfast (hotel buffet)
• Accommodation: Yining 4-star hotel

Wake up early for Sayram Lake Sunrise if you wish. The sky turns pink at sunrise/sunset, casting a dreamy glow over the snow-capped peaks and frozen lake.
After breakfast, depart Sayram Lake and drive through Guozigou Bridge. Located in the Tianshan Mountains, this magnificent bridge spans steep valleys, offering breathtaking views of the rugged terrain.

Lunch is at a local restaurant en route. In the afternoon, visit Huiyuan Ancient City. Once Xinjiang’s capital, it was rebuilt in 1882 after destruction by war. The great scholar Lin Zexu lived here for over two years after being exiled for the Opium War.

Return to Yining in the late afternoon and check into the hotel. Later, explore Kazanqi Ethnic Village – immerse yourself in Uyghur culture, admire colorful courtyard houses, and experience local life.

• Transportation: Private air-conditioned car
• Meals: Breakfast (hotel buffet), Dinner (hot pot in snow)
• Accommodation: Kuldening Wild Luxury Camp

After breakfast, depart for Swan Spring. Fed by underground hot springs, the 120-mu lake never freezes. Every winter, hundreds of swans arrive, creating a romantic scene with rime-covered reeds and mist.

In the afternoon, arrive at Kuldening Forest Park. Home to Asia’s largest primeval spruce forest (over 90% coverage), it’s rated “China’s Most Beautiful Forest” by Chinese National Geography. Winter brings snow-covered scenery, with optional paid activities like horse riding and horse-drawn sleigh rides.
✅ Exclusive Privileges:

VIP self-driving access to Kuldening (skip shuttle buses, save waiting time).

Stay at a wild luxury camp – enjoy forest views from your bed.

Exquisite hot pot dinner in the snow.

• Transportation: Private air-conditioned car
• Meals: Breakfast (camp buffet)
• Accommodation: Nalati Luxury Resort Hotel

After breakfast, drive to Nalati Hain Sai Ski Resort. Covering 75,000 square kilometers, the resort features 14 ski slopes (3 beginner, 7 intermediate, 4 advanced) with a maximum drop of 582 meters and total length of 13 kilometers. Optional paid activities include snow tubing, snow yoyoball, snow tanks, and snowmobiles.

Check into Nalati Luxury Resort Hotel in the evening. The hotel covers 280 mu, with a featured buffet restaurant, KTV, chess room, hot spring area, SPA, and fitness center. Relax in the hot spring to soothe tired muscles from skiing.

• Transportation: Private air-conditioned car
• Meals: Breakfast (hotel buffet)
• Accommodation: Yining 4-star hotel

After breakfast, explore Nalati Grassland. As one of the world’s four major alpine valley grasslands (average altitude 1,800m), it has a rich cultural history spanning Scythian, Wusun, Xiongnu, Turkic, and Mongol periods. It’s also the most concentrated settlement of Kazakhs in the world, certified by Guinness World Records.

Visit the Sky Grassland – one of the most popular routes in the scenic area. Lunch is at a local restaurant in the scenic area.

In the afternoon, return to Yining. En route, stop at Yili River Bridge – a perfect spot to watch the sunset. The Yili River (1,236km long) is Xinjiang’s largest river, flowing into Kazakhstan and eventually the Balkhash Lake.

• Transportation: Private air-conditioned car
• Meals: Breakfast (hotel buffet)
• Accommodation: None

According to your flight schedule, your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to Yining Airport on time. Wish you a pleasant journey and thank you for traveling with us!

If your flight is later in the day, our travel consultant will provide suggestions for further exploring the city.